Saturday, February 9, 2008

Built by the Pallava King Nandivarma, the Nathan koil in Nandipura Vinnagaram is in the Shenbakaaranya Kshetram, which runs from here up to Mannargudi. Unfortunately, this historic temple now wears a deserted look and is struggling to even meet the daily pooja expenses.

This Divya Desam is located about 5kms South West of Kumbakonam and about 3 kms East of Pateeswaram near Korukkai, in a village not easily accessible by road. While the road leading to this temple is very narrow, it would be a nice gesture on the part of the Kumbakonam State Bus Transport service to run services to this temple, especially on weekends.

Goddess Lakshmi wanted to reside in the heart of Lord Vishnu. She undertook a penance at this place facing East. It is said that the Lord appeared before her (facing west) and accepted her wishes.

Nandi’s curse

Legend has it that Nandi, the vehicle of Shiva, wanted to meet Lord Vishnu at Vaikuntam and entered without securing the permission of the security guards (Dwarapalakas) of Vishnu. This angered the Dwarapaalakaas who cursed the Nandi.

Nandi looked up to Lord Shiva for solution, who wanted him to undertake penance at the place, which was South of Kumbakonam, North of Mannargudi, West of OppiliAppan (Vinnagar) and East of Srirangam, one where Goddess Lakshmi herself had undertaken penance previously.

Accordingly, Nandi undertook penance here to seek atonement for insulting the Dwarapaalakaas. Pleased with the prayers, Vishnu appeared before him. Nandi requested Lord Vishnu that this place be named after him. Hence, the name Nandipura Vinnagaram. An image of Nandi can be seen on one of the walls of the temple.

Another story goes that Vishnu, who originally faced the east, turned westward to look at the spectacle of King Sibi saving a bird by providing flesh from his thighs.

Managed by Vaanamaamalai Mutt

The temple is owned and maintained by Vaanamaamalai Mutt. The Mutt would do well to bring more devotees to the temple as well as take care of the priest and other people working at this temple. While one finds huge crowds at OppiliAppan temple, a few kms away from here, this Divya Desam looks rather deserted. However, it is quite commendable that the priest and cook perform all the 6 pooja services with utmost sincerity.

It is the belief that fights between husband and wife will be solved if one visits this divya desam on the Ashtami day.

Need of the hour for this temple

1. A bus route from Kumbakonam to Nandipura vinnagaram

2. A mini bus service from Kumbakonam/Pateeswaram

3. Increase the salary of the priest, cook by about Rs. 500 per month

4. Devotees to look at contributing pooja items to this temple so the daily poojas could be conducted without difficulty